I am not a modern pocket watch freak, since I prefer the older ones which, mostly, don't have movements nearly as nicely decorated.

But while I like these movements, and admit that collecting them is special, with respect I've found the decoration to be, well, a bit heavy handed. As a comparison here is an Illinois Bunn Special movement's decoration:To my thinking the intricacy and detail of design reflects a higher degree of craft.

But in all events I like the really older stuff --sometimes uglier movements but a lot have nicely engraved balance cocks. Still, I almost never have met a pocket watch I don't like. ;)

Some of the movements in Hebe's photo caused be to think of a computerised drill and chisel running amok, but not the one centre left nor the three bottom right. They others may look different in the metal but it's subtelty of fine finished stripes that appeals to me. I also add that I have yet to see a skeleton watch that appeals to me. Don't get me wrong that I can not appreciate the workmanship but a heavily engraved shotgun or rifle by the likes of Holland and Holland does not make it a good gun, just damn expensive. And so it is with a watch.

Speaking of skeletonised watches.....This is ref. 5501, a complicated watch with perpetual calender.As such it is a piece of art because all material, not essential for its function has been cut away as well as removing( most of) the dial. On top of that, the remaining bridges and cocks have been decorated. Probably no decoration is so controversially judged by collectors as the "skeleton technique". You like it or you hate it. For sure the reading of time is more difficult because there is no white background, normally delivered by the dial.This watch was sold in the 1980-ies for 79.000 Deutsch Marks, now the equivalent of 50.000 US $.Kind regards,Adrian,(alwaysiwc).

This is its sister watch Ref. 5450 with cal. 9820. This one has "full" movement and dial. Personally, I like this more than the previous one (ref.5501). Although the 18 Kt case weighs more than 200 grams, this watch was 20.000 $ cheaper, indicating that skilled artistic labour is more precious than gold...Kind regards,Adrian,(alwaysiwc).

So now at least know, what I have to do with my c.67-ébauche (raw movement).

I need to add a lot of decoration, a huge case (at least 200g) and if possible, some complications.

The I have a modern and interesting IWC watch. So I could need help from IWC to finish the ebauche to make a watch out of it.I think there are IWC- watchmaker cources to assemble a watch, at least I have some raw material for this course ;-)